Official calls for law to stop nursing home employees from soliciting gifts

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The chief of Oklahoma's Medicaid Fraud Unit says a law is needed to stop nursing home employees from soliciting or accepting gifts from patients.

Tully McCoy told members of a House-Senate task force the prohibition is needed to protect patients.

However, State Senator Ben Robinson says he's reluctant to penalize an employee who is given something by a patient. Robinson says there may be times when a patient wants to reward a caretaker.

The task force is to ensure that nursing home reform is completed.

Lawmakers say the reform will likely be a major issue during the next legislative session, which begins in January.